Paul and Jackie

Paul's parents, high school sweethearts, married for four years when Paul was born. Paul sees his parents differently as an adult than he did as he was growing up. Although the main struggle of the story centers on Paul himself, his parents are important in Paul's development. Paul mentions parents' bravery when they bring Bobby home from the hospital after he is born with spina bifida. Many people during this time did not bring home handicapped children. This bravery can be contrasted to Paul's parents' refusal to face their son's homosexual tendencies. Paul speaks most about his relationship with his mother, who walks in on him during a nude play session with a playmate and while looking at homosexual magazines, both incidents he remembered his entire life. Paul his father's attitude only briefly. Paul's father is upset when Paul, as a child, begins developing interests in...